European steel is in crisis – industriAll Europe has long been campaigning for the European steel action plan which is now on the table. However, it is worth recalling that this decision comes despite historic profits and massive public support received by ArcelorMittal over the years. For years, the group has benefited from substantial state aid in various countries, including where these jobs are being lost. This should have be done with the absolute guarantee that jobs and industrial capacity would be protected but this is the exact opposite of what is happening. 

Again, we now see massive and abrupt job cuts which also put more pressure on the remaining workforce.

Judith Kirton-Darling, General Secretary of industriAll Europe, says: "If public money is used to support private companies, it must come with strong social conditionalities. You cannot take millions in aid and then discard your workforce as if they were disposable. This announcement is a pure scandal". 

Furthermore, what ArcelorMittal is doing is not only socially unacceptable but it is a strategic mistake for European industry. Cutting jobs in key industrial regions weakens the entire economic and social fabric – at a time when internal demand is urgently needed. It is a self-sabotage in action.

Kirton-Darling emphasises: “As trade unions, we demand full transparency, a halt to these destructive decisions, and a rethink of how public support is granted, with job protections and long-term industrial strategy at the heart of any deal. We stand in full solidarity with all ArcelorMittal workers affected by this decision. Their anger is justified. Their fight is our fight.“